Martinique offers travellers a seductive mix of stunning beaches, tropical gardens and French charm, promising lazy days on the beach, good quality accommodation, acclaimed diving sites, and a dose of culture. Fort de France is the capital and a worthwhile stop for tourists. Other popular destinations on the island include volcano-ravished Saint-Pierre, the resort town of Pointe Du Bout, and the quaint coastal villages of Sainte-Anne and Grand-Riviere.Top tourist attractions on Martinique include the Balata Botanical Gardens near Fort de France, the Musee de la Pagerie, birthplace of Napoleon's Empress Josephine, and the active Mount Pelee Volcano which destroyed Saint-Pierre in 1902, an event commemorated in the Volcanological Museum. There are many lovely hikes on the island, including La Caravelle Nature Trail in the mangroves of eastern Martinique. Of course, the most famous attractions are the beaches, with Les Salines and Anse Mitan being particular favourites.
Le Diamant is a scenic resort area dominated by the 574-foot (175m) Diamond Rock, the remnants of a volcano destroyed by erosion. Diamond Rock is a small uninhabited island known for the strategic role it once played in the Napoleonic Wars, when a British garrison fortified it for control over the channel, using the caves to shelter troops. Le Diamant offers some of the best scuba diving in Martinique. Great dive sites include the triangular cavern beneath Diamond Rock itself, but as the currents can be treacherous this is not a dive for beginners. The area also has some beautiful beaches, including Grande Anse du Diamant, where visitors will find a number of good restaurants and a shopping centre.
Across the bay from Fort de France, Les Trois-Ilets is a well-developed resort area which is home to a casino as well as many shops and restaurants. Nearby attractions include the white sandy beaches and resorts of Pointe du Bout and Anse Mitan, the championship golf course, and the Musée de La Pagerie, the birthplace of Josephine Bonaparte. There are also many interesting cultural attractions in Les Trois-Ilets, including museums of coffee and cocoa, slavery, and military history. There is also ample opportunity to organise outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, sailing, and other water sports. The best way to get to Les Trois-Ilets is by ferry from Fort de France.
One of the most popular tourist spots in Martinique, Sainte-Anne is a convenient access point for the beautiful beaches of the southern tip of the island. The town is arguably the prettiest on the island and offers a few good restaurants and hotels, while still maintaining rustic charm. The most popular beach in Sainte-Anne is Les Salines, only a five-minute drive from the city. Les Salines is stunning and has good facilities like snack stands, public restrooms, and showers. The only downside to Les Salines is that it can be very overcrowded in peak season and on weekends - so it is better to visit during the week to avoid the crowds.
Travel Guide powered by Word Travels, copyright © 2023 Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Neither Globe Media Ltd nor Travel Vogue can accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
